Skirts, Slipcovers & Legs: How to Dress Up Your Sofa
Discover how these details affect the look of a sofa, and find out which style will work best in your room
Should you show some legs? Or keep them covered up? When it comes to sofas, visible legs versus skirted bottom can set the design tone for the entire room. Whether your style leans toward the traditional, transitional or modern, we have you covered – or uncovered, as the case may be. Here’s how to figure out which look is best for you and how to design your space around it.
Slipcovers and skirts
Most slipcovered pieces have skirts, but they definitely have a more casual vibe. If you want to stay far away from formality, pair these pieces with natural rugs such as jute or sisal and rustic wood elements.
See this essential sofa buying guide
Most slipcovered pieces have skirts, but they definitely have a more casual vibe. If you want to stay far away from formality, pair these pieces with natural rugs such as jute or sisal and rustic wood elements.
See this essential sofa buying guide
Legged furniture
If a piece of furniture doesn’t have a skirt, you’ll be able to see its legs. Legs come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles, from traditional to modern. The following three styles are the most common.
Browse through images of sofa legs
If a piece of furniture doesn’t have a skirt, you’ll be able to see its legs. Legs come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles, from traditional to modern. The following three styles are the most common.
Browse through images of sofa legs
Turned legs
Turned legs are round and have a classic, traditional look. This is especially true when they’re paired with a rolled or English rolled arm (as seen on this armchair). That said, turned legs can also work in a more casual cottage-style room that includes such items as painted wood tables and chairs.
Turned legs are round and have a classic, traditional look. This is especially true when they’re paired with a rolled or English rolled arm (as seen on this armchair). That said, turned legs can also work in a more casual cottage-style room that includes such items as painted wood tables and chairs.
Tapered legs
A tapered leg can be squared or rounded and gets narrower from top to bottom. Tapered legs are incredibly versatile – they can add a modern touch to an otherwise traditional sofa or sync perfectly with a modern one.
A tapered leg can be squared or rounded and gets narrower from top to bottom. Tapered legs are incredibly versatile – they can add a modern touch to an otherwise traditional sofa or sync perfectly with a modern one.
Short legs
Shorter legs are barely visible and are usually much wider than the other leg styles. They definitely look more modern and go great in a casual space. Pair a short-legged sofa with other pieces that have taller legs to keep the room from looking too heavy.
Find a designer to design your living room
Shorter legs are barely visible and are usually much wider than the other leg styles. They definitely look more modern and go great in a casual space. Pair a short-legged sofa with other pieces that have taller legs to keep the room from looking too heavy.
Find a designer to design your living room
Choosing a leg finish
Once you’ve decided on the style of leg you want, you need to select a finish. It’s hard to get this choice wrong, but even so, think about how the colour will work with the others fabrics and pieces in the room. A dark brown or black is a safe bet for most situations.
Check out these timeless sofa styles
Once you’ve decided on the style of leg you want, you need to select a finish. It’s hard to get this choice wrong, but even so, think about how the colour will work with the others fabrics and pieces in the room. A dark brown or black is a safe bet for most situations.
Check out these timeless sofa styles
Lighter wood finishes, popular in Scandinavian design, help create spaces that feel relaxed and natural. If you want a more eclectic look, don’t worry about matching your leg finish with other woods in the room – they don’t all have to be the same shade.
Metal legs
Choosing furniture with metal legs can help a smaller space look open, because the reflective surface keeps the legs from taking up a lot of visual space.
Choosing furniture with metal legs can help a smaller space look open, because the reflective surface keeps the legs from taking up a lot of visual space.
Can you mix skirts and legs?
You bet! In fact, pairing skirted pieces with those that have legs keeps a space from looking one-dimensional. Variety is the spice of life!
Read more:
Know Your Sofa Options: Arms, Cushions, Backs & Bases
Tell us:
Is there anything else you’d like to know about sofa design? Tell us in the Comments below.
You bet! In fact, pairing skirted pieces with those that have legs keeps a space from looking one-dimensional. Variety is the spice of life!
Read more:
Know Your Sofa Options: Arms, Cushions, Backs & Bases
Tell us:
Is there anything else you’d like to know about sofa design? Tell us in the Comments below.
When furniture has a skirt, its bottom fabric falls to the floor, hiding the legs. Sofas with skirts tend to be more traditional and formal-looking than those with exposed legs. Skirts come in a variety of styles, including tailored, loose, pleated and ruffled.